Clinical Pastoral Education Admission Process

Applications

Applications may be submitted using the standard CPE Application form. Invitations to interview will be extended upon receipt of the application and at least one reference. We strongly prefer in-person interviews for CPE at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC). In-person visits allow applicants to walk the halls, meet the chaplaincy staff and get a 'feel' for the CPE experience here. If an in-person interview at DHMC is not possible, we will schedule an interview by video conference. Admission decisions are made when applications and interviews are complete.

We are currently accepting applications for the 2026 winter and summer units

  • Winter unit: January 5 to April 29, 2026, 24 hours/week
    • Application deadline: December 1, 2025
  • Summer intensive unit: May 26 to August 5, 2026, 40 hours/week
    • Application deadline: Rolling, with final deadline March 1, 2026

Note: Please specify which unit you are applying for in your application

Admission decisions are made without regard to race, gender, religious/spiritual tradition, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, or disability.

Program unit offerings and admission timelines

Inquiries are invited at any time. Program units are offered on varying schedules contingent on student needs and staff availability. Application deadlines are announced for each program unit offered.

Admission is on a space-available basis, and programs may fill before these advisory dates. Program offerings are contingent upon achieving the minimum group size. Late applications may be considered if there are unfilled positions.

Program offerings are contingent on achieving group size minimums. Late applications may be considered if there are unfilled positions.

Tuition

There is no application fee for any of our CPE units. Regular tuition for one unit of CPE is $950. A non-refundable deposit of $250, applicable toward tuition, is required at the time of admission.

Requirements

Admission may be granted to ordained clergy, seminarians, or lay people with appropriate experience and academic preparation to permit participation in graduate-level theological education and effective interpersonal ministry.

Please complete the application (see below) and email it to Gillian Cook at gillian.m.cook@hitchcock.org or mail it to:

Gillian M. Cook
Spiritual Health Department
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
Lebanon, NH 03756

Read instructions carefully before submitting.

International applicants have additional requirements and deadlines.

Application forms